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2026 United States Senate election in Maine
The 2026 United States Senate election in Maine will be held on November 3, 2026, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the state of Maine . Incumbent Republican Senator Susan Collins plans to run for re-election to a sixth term in office. This will be the only Republican-held Senate seat up for election in 2026 in a state that Kamala Harris won in the 2024 presidential election . This election will coincide with U.S. House elections for Maine's two congressional districts , a gubernatorial election , and various other state, county and local elections.
A sparsely populated state in New England , Maine is one of the most rural states in the nation and is considered to be a moderately blue state , having voted for every Democratic presidential nominee since 1992 . Democrats also control the governorship , the state legislature , and both seats in Maine's U.S. House congressional delegation .[ 1]
Collins was first elected in 1996 and was re-elected in four subsequent elections, significantly outperforming other Republicans in the state. In 2020 , despite almost all polls and analysts predicting that she would lose her re-election bid, Collins unexpectedly defeated Democratic nominee Sara Gideon by about eight percentage points. Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden carried Maine by about nine percentage points on the same ballot.[ 2]
As the only Republican-held Senate seat up for election in a state that Kamala Harris won in the 2024 presidential election and Collins' record of overperformance despite the state's Democratic lean, Maine is considered a key Senate battleground in 2026. This Senate seat has been held by Republicans since 1979 . With the decline of ticket splitting and being in a midterm year with a Republican president, Collins is widely viewed as the most vulnerable Republican incumbent senator.[ 3] [ 4]
Collins was first elected in 1996 . With Collins being a moderate and potential swing vote, she could face a more conservative primary opponent.[ 5] [ 6]
Dan Smeriglio, former police officer[ 7] Publicly expressed interest [ edit ] Susan Collins (not declared)
Campaign finance reports as of March 31, 2025
Candidate
Raised
Spent
Cash on hand
Susan Collins (R)
$3,602,617
$1,682,892
$3,214,918
Source: Federal Election Commission [ 10]
Publicly expressed interest [ edit ] Independent and third party candidates [ edit ]
Campaign finance reports as of March 31, 2025
Candidate
Raised
Spent
Cash on hand
Phillip Rench (I)
$52,787
$7,045
$45,742
Source: Federal Election Commission [ 10]
^ "Maine Democrats say they won enough seats to control state Senate" . spectrumlocalnews.com . Retrieved December 7, 2024 .^ Everett, Burgess (November 4, 2020). "Collins wins again in Maine, boosting Senate GOP" . POLITICO . Retrieved December 7, 2024 . ^ Coleman, J. Miles (July 11, 2024). "The Shocking Decline of Senate Ticket-Splitting" . Sabato's Crystal Ball . Retrieved April 27, 2023 . ^ a b c Stanton, Andrew (November 14, 2024). "Susan Collins' Reelection Plan Throws a Wrench in Democrats' Senate Hopes" . Newsweek . Retrieved November 14, 2024 . ^ Bolton, Alexander (November 14, 2024). "Tuberville: 'We're gonna try to get you out of the Senate if you vote against Trump" . The Hill . Retrieved November 15, 2024 . ^ "Who will Democrats find to run against Susan Collins in 2026?" . Piscataquis Observer . Retrieved April 27, 2025 .^ Collins, Steve (February 18, 2025). "A Frenchville Republican challenges Susan Collins" . Sun Journal . Retrieved February 19, 2025 . ^ Shepherd, Michael (November 15, 2024). "Susan Collins plans to run for historic 6th term in 2026" . Piscataquis Observer . Retrieved November 15, 2024 . ^ "- AIPAC Political Portal" . candidates.aipacpac.org . Retrieved April 28, 2025 .^ a b "2026 Election United States Senate - Maine" . fec.gov . Federal Election Commission . Retrieved April 23, 2025 .^ Kobin, Billy (April 23, 2025). "Democrat with national ties announces 2026 bid to unseat Susan Collins" . Bangor Daily News . Retrieved April 23, 2025 . ^ Bartow, Adam (February 26, 2025). "Growing field: First Democrat files to challenge Sen. Susan Collins" . WMTV . Retrieved February 26, 2025 . ^ Solender, Andrew (April 10, 2025). "House leaders face growing horde of members grasping for higher office" . Axios . Retrieved April 11, 2025 . Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine) signaled he could run for Senate or governor, telling Axios he is 'running for reelection to my seat as far as I know, but I'll look at statewide offices. I'm not taking anything off the table.' ^ a b c d Kobin, Billy (April 19, 2025). "Who will Democrats find to run against Susan Collins in 2026?" . Bangor Daily News . Retrieved April 19, 2025 . ^ Shepherd, Michael; Kobin, Billy (March 7, 2025). "Former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson explores a run for governor" . Bangor Daily News . Retrieved March 7, 2025 . ^ Billings, Randy (November 29, 2024). "Gov. Mills doesn't rule out challenging Susan Collins for U.S. Senate in 2026" . Press Herald . Retrieved December 2, 2024 . ^ Solender, Andrew (November 27, 2024). "Scoop: A huge wave of House members is eyeing runs for other offices in 2026" . Axios . Retrieved November 28, 2024 . ^ Fahlberg, Audrey (March 7, 2025). "Ex-Democrat SpaceX Engineer Challenging Maine Senator Susan Collins as an Independent" . National Review . Retrieved April 12, 2025 . ^ "Senate Ratings" . Inside Elections . Retrieved January 14, 2025 .^ "2026 CPR Senate Race Ratings" . Cook Political Report . Retrieved February 11, 2025 .^ "2026 Senate ratings" . Sabato's Crystal Ball . Retrieved February 13, 2025 .^ "2026 Senate Forecast" . Race to the WH . Retrieved April 4, 2025 .
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